“Because he’s dangerous?”
“Yeah. To any male in the territory.”
Kiera rubbed her chilled arms and kicked a loose rock on the asphalt. “But not females?”
“Nope. The females are safe. He’s got a dominance problem, though. Mountains aren’t exactly a safe haven if you have a dick, if you know what I mean.”
Actually, she didn’t know what he meant. He’d murdered his pride, all females. That’s probably where he got that hideous scar down his face. Fuckin’ deserved it.
“You’ve eaten all the tater tots,” Logan pointed out.
Kiera looked down at the empty carton and swallowed the last bite. “Yeah, I’m still hungry so I’m going to go get some dinner.” She walked toward Frankie’s, but called over her shoulder, “Please stop following me.”
“No can do.” Logan went back to eating another burger.
Geez, she missed her lioness metabolism. She’d forgotten how much shifters could eat in one sitting.
The word “fuck” echoed across the parking lot, and Logan’s engine flared to life. Kiera turned to see a blue Ford Raptor turning in.
Logan called out, “Sorry, Cat-Woman, I’m not up for a row tonight.” Whatever that meant.
After Logan peeled out of the parking lot, Beast parked in his place. He didn’t get out, though, just sat behind the wheel and trapped her with his sparking gold eyes. Why was he so riled up that his animal was this close to the surface? She hadn’t done anything wrong.
Or maybe he was the one hunting her now. A shiver blasted up her spine, so she jogged into Frankie’s and out from under his glare. Surely he wouldn’t go murder-kitty in a public place. She was safe here. Probably.
She ordered her food, but when she turned around, the only tables available were against the front window. Being in Beast’s direct view would’ve been nerve-wracking enough, but as she made her way to the table in the middle, Beast strode toward her across the parking lot.
He wore a black sweater that clung to his perfectly defined shoulders and chest. It tapered at the waist, giving him a delicious V-shape that caused her mouth to plop open. He was jogging, hands shoved in his pockets so that his dark jeans hung low on his hips. A strip of stomach was exposed, and even from here, in the dim light of evening, she could see the muscles over his hips that delved into his pants. His face was turned, as if his attention was on the motel, his flawless side on display. Beast could’ve been a model if not for the scars on the other side.
He pulled the door open and locked gazes with her. There was a moment where they just stood there, looking at each other from across the restaurant. His breath came quicker. He rubbed his hands together as if he was cold. His eyes were the bright gold of his people. Of the people she used to be a part of. She was shocked again by how tall he was, how broad shouldered…how handsome despite the marred left side of his face.
Beautiful man, ruined soul.
Before he moved toward the counter with supernatural grace, he angled his face away from her, exposed his neck ever so slightly. Why would he do that? She was no threat to him. She was no threat to anyone. The oxygen had been sucked right out of the room. She sat slowly on the edge of the seat, perched carefully for an escape.
Twice while he was ordering, Beast turned his profile toward her, as if he was looking at her with his peripheral. He was careful not to make eye contact, though, as he took a table three down from hers. No one was between them, so they sat there, watching each other from the edges of their vision, ignoring each other, and ignoring the lightning-like electric currents that zinged through the air between them.
Warmth pooled deep in her belly. What was happening?
The ding of the entry doorbell dragged her out of her trance. Kane walked in, eyes green with those elongated dragon pupils like he was worked up, too. He gave the back of Beast’s head a death glare, but Beast responded to him before he even saw the dragon.
“I’m not here to chase her off.”
“The fuck you are.”
“How did you know I was here?”
“Dustin stole something from me.” Kane’s voice shook with rage. “He’s got it in his head he wants to be your friend, so I can guess what he did with it.” Kane loudly pulled a metal chair away from a newly vacated table right near Beast’s booth, sat in the chair backward, and finally, finally, gave Kiera his attention.
Kane still looked mad as hell, and the faint scent of smoke filled the air as his glowing eyes locked on hers. “You okay?”
Beast made a ticking sound behind his teeth and leaned back in his bench seat. “She’s in no danger from me, and you know it.”
“I don’t want her pushed out.”
“I’m not pushing her out!”
“What’s going on?” Kiera asked, utterly baffled.
“Go on, tell her, Beast. Why are you here?”
Beast gritted his teeth so hard his chiseled jaw twitched. He shook his head, denying Kane, but his eyes never left Kiera.
“Tell her!” Kane snapped, power slamming through his words. “Why are you here?”
“Because I can’t stop thinking about her.” The words came out choked, as if Kane had dragged them from Beast’s throat. His cheeks turned red, and he stared out the window. His fists were clenched on the table.
Kane’s face changed completely. In an instant, the anger disappeared, morphed into confusion, and then settled into realization. “What?” he asked low.